sydney , australia -lrb- ap -rrb- _ in an unprecedented crackdown on bullying and beatings within the ranks , australia 's military stopped work monday to give soldiers and sailors a talk on respect and being nice .

Short summary: australia battles military bullying


north atlantic treaty organization -lrb- nato -rrb- secretary-general jaap de hoop scheffer on thursday strongly condemned the armed hostage-taking in russia and demanded the immediate release of all hostages .

Short summary: nato chief condemns mass hostage-taking in russia


a peace rally spearheaded by metro manila mayors kicked off in manila friday afternoon , with president gloria macapagal-arroyo and vice president teofisto guingona as the main guests , local media reported .

Short summary: peace rally held in manila


struggling in what president george w. bush calls `` the last phase of diplomacy , '' secretary of state colin powell is trying to convince skeptical governments that only force , not more inspections , will disarm iraq and neutralize president saddam hussein .

Short summary:
powell makes uphill pitch for u.n. backing to neutralize saddam hussein